Spam Musubi

I made a vow, not too long ago, claiming that I will never touch, cook, or eat spam, for as long as I shall live…

that was until 2 months ago, when I walked into a little bakery in Kihei, Hawaii, and tried their spam musubi and since then, my life has taken an unexpected turn; could it be that I've made a mistake? Is spam really this delicious?

What is life?

This recipe will make you love spam.

THE END.

INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 8)

1 can of 25% less sodium Spam (plain/no flavoring)

4-6 pieces of roasted Nori/Seaweed

Furikake (Japanese rice seasoning)

Cooked jasmine rice (you may use sushi rice if you prefer)

FOR THE MARINADE:

1/4 cup of hot water

2 Tbsp of packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp of garlic powder

1/4 tsp of onion powder

1/4 tsp of black pepper

1 Tablespoon of Maggie seasoning or soy sauce

2 tsp of mirin (Japanese rice wine)

2 tsp of sesame oil

jalapeno slices (optional)


YOU WILL ALSO NEED:

some foil

Spam musubi maker (I purchased mine from Daiso)

OR you can also use the Spam container. Clean out the container really well, place a medium-sized piece of saran wrap inside (it should be large enough to cover your finished product), and then begin to assemble the recipe as stated below.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.

Stack your seaweed on top of each other, place on baking sheet, and roast for about 15 minutes. This part is crucial; it makes the seaweed more brittle, sticks to the rice better, and also makes cutting and eating it easier. You may also toast your seaweed on the stove, on medium low heat, in a dry skillet as well (this method works best if you are not planning to make a lot). Lightly toast the first side for a few minutes, and then flip over to lightly toast the other side. Set aside.
Cut your spam into 8, 1/4 inch thick slices and place into a shallow baking dish. Make your marinade and pour mixture over your spam. Marinade at room temp for 30 minutes, or 10 minutes if you don't have time. With your skillet on medium high heat, fry your spam until browned. Do not add in the juices from your marinade, just yet! Flip your spam over, and then pour in 3/4 of your marinade into the skillet. Continue to cook on medium high heat, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Place cooked spam in baking dish and cover with foil until ready to use.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE:
Take your toasted seaweed and place on top of your foil. Place your musubi holder right on top. Add in two scoops of rice, flatten with rice scooper, sprinkle on 2-3 pinches of furikake, press down firmly with presser, and then add in two pieces of spam. Next, add 2 pieces of jalapeno slices (if using), cover with more rice, more furikake, press down with presser, again, remove holder, and begin to roll your seaweed up and over, making sure you get a really tight grip. Roll up your spam musubi in your foil, press down firmly on all sides, remove from foil, and place on cutting board. Using a serrated knife sprayed with cooking spray (wiped clean with paper towel to remove excess), cut in half. Garnish with jalapeno slices on top. Wrap up your spam musubi in saran wrap if you do not plan on eating immediately. May keep at room temp for up to two days.